Wednesday, April 15, 2009

All across America, spontaneous grassroot "Tea Parties" are springing up, protesting government spending!

Woo hoo!

Fox News has been flogging these for weeks now. How spontaneous is that? As for "grassroots," they have been largely organized and promoted by several big conservative think tanks/lobbying organizations: well-staffed and well-financed. Think Progress reports how these shadowy presences have been coordinating groups, producing "how-to" guides, writing press releases and registering internet domains.

One of these is Freedom Works, a Washington-based "think tank," founded by Texas Republican Dick Armey, that's had a history of astroturfing. Aiding and abetting is Americans for Prosperity, a section 501(c)(4) organization funded largely by wealthy foundations affiliated with conservative and oil/gas interests (remember when gas hit $4 a gallon?).

The Oligarchs may have lost power in the last election but they aren't giving up the fight. They'll just convince you to take to the streets for them.

Follow the money...see whose nickel is organizing all this. And ask yourself -- who really benefits the most?